"Is it my eyes?"

[Kleftiwallah]

I have a 10" dobsonian on long term loan. I cannot tell one constelation from another after the plough. Orion and that big "W" thing, but I enjoy looking at the planets when I can find 'em and the edges/craters on the moon.

I've carried out a full columnation check after 'learning all about it from the mighty computer'' but my frustration is, I bring a planet or star or something from really fuzzy to near sharp to back to fuzzy, but it is the middle bit that frustrates me. 'It' never gets reeeeealy clear.

As I have diabetes (T2) so I have an eye test every 6 months, at the last one my optician told me I no longer need glasses for driving! So why isn't what I see through the eyepiece clear? ? ? Cheers, Tony.

[nytecam]

Tony your scope is
1] out of collimation [all optics must be perfectly lined up]

2] you're using a rediculously high magnification eg x100-x200 is max

3] looking over the top of 'hot' buildings or the 'seeing' is lousy.

For 1] try Youtube for some vids by entering some useful keywords and good luck

[loripo]

Re your eyes - do you have any degree of astigmatism at all? That can cause problems with using bins etc.

[artdemole]

We need to know what magnification your lenses are.It is possible you may have to focus a bit more slower.Filters may also help.Blue or yellow could be used.

[Kleftiwallah]

Thanks to all for your informative suggestions.
1) Recheck collimation.
2) My lenses are all Plossls 25mm, 9.5mm, 7.5mm and a Meade 2X telenegative (whatever that means).
3) Looking over two roads of bungalows then fields.

Loripo, yes I do have astigmatism. I blame that for being such a numpty at skool!

Artdemole, please tell me more about these filters. Cheers, Tony.

[Tringa]

Can't help with setting up the telescope, but if you can recognise the Plough, Orion and Cassiopeia (the W thing) then you can used them to find virtually every other constellation.

Star hopping around the constellations in the sky at night

If you want a book to help you find out more I'd go for Noton's Star Atlas.

Dave

[Kleftiwallah]

That's in my favourites list Tringa. I've got a Philip's Planisphere and Celestron Sky Maps. Cheers, Tony.

[artdemole]

Filters can be obtained online at various prices from£6.00 Upwards.Yellow cuts out glare from the Moon and Mars, was also useful for Jupiter.Blue is good for light pollution.Dark blue enhances view.Light blue for low contrast also reduces light level.I think that viewing with Dobsonian does need for eyes to be trained to look for objects so practice makes perfect.Use a site like scopes'n'skies to gain the knowledge for the different use of filters. ....aDm....

[Kleftiwallah]

Thanks for that chum, do these filters go over the 'gurt big end' or the end you look through? ! ? Cheers, Tony.

[artdemole]

Usually screw on end of lens that goes into telescope.Has a small thread on inside of lens.